CT: South African participation news, comments, reaction

[lollol]

South Africa pulls out

Cricinfo staff

August 22, 2008

Cricket South Africa has announced that it will not send the South African national team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy in September after the board held a lengthy meeting with the ICC task team in Johannesburg today.

More to follow

[lollol]

Now we can forget about this tournament in PAK....

3 teams have pulled already out, and more will do so... and the tournament consists of only 8 teams.....

- AUS
- NZ
- SAF

- ENG ?? (maybe)

[Keith]

if this is true then, as a Saffer, I am saddened for all the pakistani people.

[Afridi_Fan]

Originally Posted by Keith if this is true then, as a Saffer, I am saddened for all the pakistani people.

No need to, that was on the cards

[lollol]

If only AUS pulled-out, they could be replaced.

But now we already have three teams pulling-out, and there is no way the tournament could be held in PAK right now.

This is a huge loss for the ICC, Pakistan, and the PCB. Money-wise also.....

Oh btw, its on cricinfo so it is true..

[Keith]

Cricket South Africa has announced that it will not send the South African national team to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy in September after its full Board held a lengthy meeting with the ICC task team in Johannesburg today.
A full presentation was made by the task team, led by ICC CEO Haroon Lorgat, on the security situation in Pakistan and the security plans for the event.

The decision was taken after assessment of the presentation as well as the information available from a number of other security reports, including one from the South African government.

CSA President Adv. Norman Arendse, who will be representing CSA at the ICC Executive meeting on Sunday, where this issue will again be discussed, said: “After extensive discussions and frank exchange of views, the Board resolved not to send our team at this time to Pakistan to participate in the ICC Champions Trophy.

“We respect the right of the Pakistan Cricket Board to stage the tournament and we would urge the ICC to reschedule the tournament as soon as possible.”

South African Cricketers’ Association CEO Tony Irish said: “This was a difficult decision but it was the right one. There is nothing more important than the safety of our national team.

“We appreciate all the efforts of the ICC task team, the Pakistan Cricket Board, the Pakistan authorities and the security consultants. The players are naturally disappointed for their fans and the people of Pakistan that they will not have a chance to see them in action in that country in September.”

[lollol]

“We respect the right of the Pakistan Cricket Board to stage the tournament and we would urge the ICC to reschedule the tournament as soon as possible.”

I dont think rescheduling is a realistic option, looking at the busy schedule..

I wonder if its still POSSIBLE (lets assume the PCB agrees) to shift the venue. Its only 3 weeks from now..

[natalia]

lollol,
yeah the shifting is possible. sl cricket board have already said AGAIN today that they are ready to host the CT.
looks like SL is desperate to hold the ct

and all matches should be held at dambulla. then we'll see the aussies struggle to make 175 there too

[Afridi_Fan]

Originally Posted by natalia lollol, yeah the shifting is possible. sl cricket board have already said AGAIN today that they are ready to host the CT. looks like SL is desperate to hold the ct and all matches should be held at dambulla. then we'll see the aussies struggle to make 175 there too

And how many will Pakistan Make?

75?

[lollol]

The question is, would the ICC be happy with it? With the security etc... and would SAF/ENG/AUS/NZ be happy with it?

[Afridi_Fan]

Originally Posted by lollol The question is, would the ICC be happy with it? With the security etc... and would SAF/ENG/AUS/NZ be happy with it?

ICC seems pretty happy with the security, its only the boards and their BRAVE players who are not happy with it.

[natalia]

Originally Posted by Afridi_Fan And how many will Pakistan Make? 75?

LOL! if it WAS to be held in dambulla of course, then sure
but a pak vs aus match without brett lee in the aus squad would be a total pak win. we've seen akhtar single-handedly demolish the aussies before

[Keith]

How about all the members come to south africa and we have our own international tournament from within in our own ranks?

[Afridi_Fan]

Originally Posted by Keith How about all the members come to south africa and we have our own international tournament from within in our own ranks?

I really didn't get that.Whats your point?

[Keith]

light humour

[Pak_mystery]

Arrgh... But SA were in pak not too long ago ... There's something fishy going on,theres something more than just "security" thing...

[natalia]

i think he means whoever WANTS to come to pak, come and play there,
whoever does NOT wanna come to pak, play ur tournament in south africa.
you know... two venues

its not a bad idea actually
its interesting.

[Afridi_Fan]

Originally Posted by Pak_mystery Arrgh... But SA were in pak not too long ago ... There's something fishy going on,theres something more than just "security" thing...

What it can be lets think.

May be a grouping of anti-asian block who wanna show India that if you want the tournament in Pakistan and we pull out you cant do a damn thing about it?

[Keith]

Let us leave the racial overtones please. It does not help anybody. Just for information purposes: 75% of all executive members of the united cricket board of south africa are non white, including the decision makers.

[natalia]

yeah. keith is right, this forum doesn't only have pakistani members, there are members from almost all cricket playing countries here, like me, so yeah lets leave the racial overtones like keith said.

[Afridi_Fan]

Originally Posted by Keith Let us leave the racial overtones please. It does not help anybody. Just for information purposes: 75% of all executive members of the united cricket board of south africa are non white, including the decision makers.

I am sorry but take my place and just feel how it feels like when your country does every possible thing to prove that there is no danger for the players and then a board comes out and say we pull out.How will you feel?You will say oh ok, they think its not safe and they wanna pull out or will you just go mad?

[natalia]

yeah afridi, understand your situation too. but you don't have to blame the country's people itself. if you actually wanna swear or smth then swear the cricket board, i guess
now just hope keith doesn't work in the south african cricket board either, otherwise

[lollol]

AUS pulled out cause they were pussies, they never toured PAK when other countries did and they will never tour...

SAF at least toured PAK not so long ago, and they have pulled-out now. There is no reason to think there is something as a conspiracy against Pakista/Asia.

I think the Bhutto assassination changed EVERYTHING. Just explain to your wife/kids/parents/friends u are going to tour PAK... remember, they only get to see Pakistan on the news...

[natalia]

yeah.
i think they should all join this forum to see the real, honest view of Pak's current situation, I'm sure this is the reason why i joined this forum today myself... since i'm not pakistani or anything

[Afridi_Fan]

Its frustratiung that condition is good for India/SL/WI but not for the others, what are their players made off.Or are they babies who will cry for their mama if they hear some blast has occured in the other corne of the country and even if they are being provided with presidential level of security they wont come because they have their God damn doubts.Gosh I am going crazy here.

[kayanni]

inevitable but still dissappointing....

if the BCCI really wants to help then they should say anyone pulling out will be barred from the IPL........ you watch the change in mindset then.........

the thing about is asians is that we take life as being short and thus have no real fear of things like bombs etc ......... when you are called by Allah swt then thats it......

the gore in the main on the other hand think life will continue on and on and hence they become afraid of situations like in the NWFP at the moment........

India have been to Pak and Srl when bombings have being going off

as Graeme Swann said when Eng were in Srl there were bombs going off, didnt see the ECB cancelling the tour then

[natalia]

haha afridi_fan, even WI has some doubts but not as much as the white boards... since they've named their squad already

[Keith]

Originally Posted by Afridi_Fan I am sorry but take my place and just feel how it feels like when your country does every possible thing to prove that there is no danger for the players and then a board comes out and say we pull out.How will you feel?You will say oh ok, they think its not safe and they wanna pull out or will you just go mad?

Beleive me when i tell you that i understand how you feel. You are not the only one to be angry about this. I am a proud saffer and i am hurt by this decision. I desperately wanted this tournament to take place in pakistan. I know the guys enjoyed their last visit (i am house friends with 2 of the saffers that toured there and had been chosen for the CT) and i know how they will feel now.

Just because this happened does not mean that racism or anti asian sentiment is at play.

[natalia]

yeah.
keith just curious, who do you know from the saf team

[saffer]

It's a real shame for pakistan cricket. With all the cancelled tours you guys just aren't getting to see any cricket in pakistan , and the rest of the world is not getting to see what pakistan has to offer. The agenda of the extremist is perfectly suited as pakistan falls further into isolationism.
I hope they are rewarded adequate finacial penalties for this and use it wisely to get pakistan cricket back on track.

[Keith]

bouch and mack. (boucher and ntini). I know the majority of them but i am mates with these 2.

[saffer]

I hope people remember south africa toured and stayed in pakistan even after bombs went off while they were there. Clearly the security company knows something we don't. Let's not jump to conclusions.

[asifp]

very hypocritical of RSA.

Someone should point out to them, that their country has one of the highest murder rates in the world.

[Usman Chadda]

All I can say is, ESPN-Star will be absolutely furious right now. They are going to end up taking one of these boards or the ICC to the court if the tournament does not go ahead

Originally Posted by Wussy Irish “We appreciate all the efforts of the ICC task team, the Pakistan Cricket Board, the Pakistan authorities and the security consultants. The players are naturally disappointed for their fans and the people of Pakistan that they will not have a chance to see them in action in that country in September.”

As if they give a damn about Pakistan. S.Africa toured successfully last year, I am really disappointed to see them go down the same route as the Aussies

[TaZ]

I'm sorry but this is pathetic. South Africa is a dangerous country itself as is Sri Lanka and bombs are going off in india yet the saffers will still play IPL. I've got no qualms with teams pulling out on security concerns but then to go and play in india or SL is pure hypocracy.

Kayanni is right, if the BCCI really wants to help then they should say anyone pulling out will be barred from the IPL........ you watch the change in mindset then.

[natalia]

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials have expressed shock and concern over Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) decision to pull out of the ICC Champions Trophy 2008 on Friday.

"It is a hasty and negative decision. It will badly hurt the possibilities of the tournament going through now,” said PCB COO Shafqat Naghmi.

Sunday is the judgment day as far as the future of the tournament is concerned. A teleconference would be called of the task team and the ICC Board to make a final decision on the tournament.

“They (CSA) should have waited till Sunday when a final decision on the future of the tournament was to be announced,” said a saddened Naghmi.

http://www.cricketnirvana.com/news/i...80822-450.html

[Keith]

Originally Posted by asifp Someone should point out to them, that their country has one of the highest murder rates in the world.

Childish analogy to say the least. So no-one is murderred in pakistan except by the bomb blasts?

[Keith]

I agree.

[natalia]

so do i. shafqat was right, they should have waited for more clarification by the ICC on sunday before making any decision

[Keith]

Have a great week end guys and gals

[kayanni]

taz - wow you agreeing with me - maybe i should go on holiday more often!!!!

its the farengi mentality to be afraid of the unknown.

(farengi is derived from the Arabic word faranj or ifranj, "Franks", or possibly the Persian word farangi, meaning "foreigner. It was used as term in India to denote the British, especially by those resisting British rule.)

[the Great Khan]

R.IP.pakistan cricket...certain boards will finally get what they want...they wanted a neutered Windies...they got it...now they want a useless pakistan..tehy will get that too..soon cricket will only matter between these four nations: SA,OZ,ENG IND.....SL and WI will be div 2 with NZ...PAK,BANG,KENYA will join ZIM in the pariah category!...we'll get a tour once every three years now!...thanks alot SA, we thought you cared...!!...

[Redflair07]

This is South Africa's revenge after years of isolation in the years of apartheid. They want to show they are strong and can take a unilateral decision irrespective of what England, Australia and New Zealand do.

[traps]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080822...yiccpakrsareax

Guys I consider myself a friend of Pakistan cricket.

I would like to hear your views respond to our decision to withdraw.

Now that the President has gone and the new elections are set for the new President how safe is it for our guys to be there? I know about the bombs but as South Africans it's not as if we haven't seen bombs before. Would the cricketers ever be in danger?

Would any group ever target sports as a legitimate target?

I'd like to punch up a response ASAP.

I know the Pakistani Cricket Board is upset.

[pakistanbest]

no country or person is safe in this world however looking at past experiences, in Pakistan a sporting event has never been targeted, i feel it wouldnt happen as these terrorists feel they have bigger fish to fry

[traps]

Agreed. You could be on a Spanish MD aeroplane to the Canary Islands.

[traps]

Guys if you give me feedback I can punch up an article onto the Mail & Guardian in an hour slamming our decision. I do not agree with it but I'd like to have a basis.

[SameerM]

sad sad news.
NOW the west has an excuse to pull out.. all the teams WILL pull out

I bet Windies will still come.. as will india.. no doubts abot Slanka and bdesh..

I say ban the teams that dont come from ICC !! or some penalties atleast

-------------
Traps, talk facts here yeh?

In Pakistan how many bomb blasts have killed sportsman? or have been near match venues, while players have been playing or are meant to be playing?? none, except the gas cylinder in THAT Afridi spinning match

ENGLAND v's Aus in 05/06 was it... nothing got cancelled, and that was a MAJOR blast - july bombings.

West Indies, BOB's death, was meant to be murder at the time, event STILL carried on.

The media has just portrated an image of WAR zones in pakistan.. wheras it aint like that at all... just go and see for ur self

Nothing will make the coutries take a u-turn... so get used to it..

Traps, if i was, i would side with ur country mate.. ur one voice will not do anything!
Why listen to pakistani people from pakistan? pesimists will say, they WILL OBVIOUSLY say its safe blah blah

[OZGOD]

Originally Posted by Afridi_Fan I am sorry but take my place and just feel how it feels like when your country does every possible thing to prove that there is no danger for the players and then a board comes out and say we pull out.How will you feel?You will say oh ok, they think its not safe and they wanna pull out or will you just go mad?

Your anger may be misdirected though. I'll repost what I posted elsewhere:

Despite all the to-ing and fro-ing, my position on this has never changed.

If their official security detail says it is not safe, then they shouldn't go. I'll support them on that.

If their official security detail says it is safe, then they should go. If security says that it is safe and they don't go, that's their personal right of choice, but then they should be dropped.

Sending in a weakened side when security is not ok (because they are trying to find people willing to go e.g. Shame Watson) is a joke and is not only disrespectful of the Baggy Green cap, but also hypocritical. Either it's safe or it isn't - no half measures.

Sending in a weakened side when security is ok because some top players chose to boycott is ok. Players who boycotted should be dropped and made to earn their way back into the team.

Transferring the CT to SL would be pointless as I fail to see what difference there is - SL has the same warning status "Reconsider Your Need To Travel" as Pakistan.

The players's union is doing their job in representing the players, but they don't make the final decision - CA does. Right now there are a million stakeholders putting their 2c in to try and sway the decision when at the end of the day the decision should be taken by CA, based on advice from their official security detail.

A final thought to leave you with. For people with strong Pakistani roots (either because you live there, or because you have family there) you likely have a more realistic picture of conditions in Pakistan. But spare a thought for those who a ) are not of Pakistani background; and b ) do not live in Pakistan; and c ) do not hang out in Pakistani forums such as this one.

All they hear is what the media tells them, which is: 1) there was a bombing at an arms factory that killed 60 people; 2) a bombing at a hospital in NWFP (which most people would have no idea that it's a remote area of Pakistan); 3) a prime ministerial candidate was assassinated late last year; or 4) a president who seized power in a coup many years ago is being impeached. What do you expect people to think?

Unfortunately what most of the Western world hears is what is bad about Pakistan. We don't hear about what is good. It's only that some of us, like myself, RA, Big Harvey, Whippy, Nescafe et al, post here that we have learned that there is much more to Pakistan than just Taliban bombings, assassinations and political unrest.

That is all...

[OZGOD]

Originally Posted by Keith Have a great week end guys and gals

Good luck in the rugby - you'll need it.

[traps]

Sameer is there any real danger?

[SameerM]

how can i say if there IS or not... but in the past 100% no blasts near cricket matches.

so to me, the chances are there wont be in the future!!


plus, where are the bombs being let off? mostly in the NorthWest ... so just dont play in any locations in the NW!!! why take it away from the whole country?

[traps]

Sameer - Siding with my country when they are right is fine but if they are doing the wrong thing I would like to give Pakistan's side.

Remember we have an enormously violent country but that hasn't stopped anyone from hosting the Football World Cup.

[natalia]

Originally Posted by OZGOD All they hear is what the media tells them, which is: 1) there was a bombing at an arms factory that killed 60 people; 2) a bombing at a hospital in NWFP (which most people would have no idea that it's a remote area of Pakistan); 3) a prime ministerial candidate was assassinated late last year; or 4) a president who seized power in a coup many years ago is being impeached. What do you expect people to think?

really well said. actually almost exactly what i thought, until i found my way onto PP. loving it here =]

[SameerM]

Traps, but ur SOUTH AFRICA..... a WESTERN country (kind of)

Pakistan? at the moment the WORLD is trying to say muslims are bad.. violent etc... so if Pakistan has links to this vioilence, then all the better aint it?

WORLD cant blame Iraq, Afghanistan any more.. Saudi, Osma's birthplace, is safe due to its oil and political links..
SO whose left to blame, the Pakistani's... NOONE will side with us, except the citizens of pakistan.

Western Media has already, make pakistan into a warzone.. and with their reporting on Musharaffs resignation etc.. its obvious they portray Musshy's resignation as a bad thing, wheras the people of pak, think its a great thing!

Traps, SA have only gone and done wot England, Aus and NZ are threatening to do.. so it was the most likely outcome they will all stick together.

Sorry for being a pesimist, but it will have to be relocated if the big teams are needed to play.
So WHERE will it be played? probably Dubai..India maybe? these two are the only REAL alternatives, which will generate most moneys and keep them happy.

[Saqs]

i wonder what West Indies stance is on this issue

[traps]

Sam I think you guys know me by now. I do regular commentary for Radio Islam in South Africa on various political issues.

I am not Western or Eastern I'm just someone who believes that the Muslim community needs to be heard.

I hate stereotypes and I pre-judge no-one.

[OZGOD]

Originally Posted by saffer I hope people remember south africa toured and stayed in pakistan even after bombs went off while they were there. Clearly the security company knows something we don't. Let's not jump to conclusions.

I think it may have something to do with the fact that :mush has resigned due to threat of impeachment and that they feel that the two parties in the ruling coalition are really only held together by a common hatred of :mush ? i.e. now that :mush is gone the coalition might dissolve?

Just speculating here.

[pakistanbest]

i didnt expect this from SA, shocking decision and frankly very dissapointed with them. i do still feel that they may change their decision but i wont hold my breath for too long. CT is sinking and sinking fast sadly

[natalia]

Originally Posted by saqibsalman i wonder what West Indies stance is on this issue

The West Indies board also finally speaked out AGAINST the Champions Trophy, saying "At this stage one has to be very careful with the players' safety and what each country has put in place for their team's well being"

[SameerM]

the 2 parties were DEMOCRATICALLY voted in!!!

its a basis of democracy... PAk is NOW not a dictatorship, but a democratic country!!!!!


hypocracy rules the world!

[SameerM]

they all after the Stanford millions! CT gets cancelled.. western teams goto WIndies for a mickey mouse 'white' boys tournament.

[zimmz]

Traps,

There is discussion going on this topic in cricket section in the following threads:

http://www.pakpassion.net/ppforum/sh...ad.php?t=60961

http://www.pakpassion.net/ppforum/sh...ad.php?t=60962

You may find there some views as basis for your article.

[traps]

Thaks Zimmz

I'll take a look at those immediately.

[SameerM]

Traps, nothing personal, but readers/listerners will go by wat they read and hear.

and 99% of the news will be showing Pak in bad light.. so nothing u can do to change views etc.
ALL the western papers will say, its players own choice because of safety reasons. ALL skysports bbc etcetc, will say the same... right after they say Pakistan makes terrrorists!

[traps]

Sam - Let me see what I can do. The worst that can happen is nothing.

[kingusama92]

i sincerely hope they all get shot in Johannesburg during September just kidding... then they will wish they came to Pakistan instead... but still this is sad and I definitely didn't think they would be the first team to pull out...

[traps]

Let you see it as soon as it comes online.

[maamrut]

I think its time for the ICC to put an end tto this farce and scrap the event.

[omidahomie]

hasty indeed...but can u blame them? they hate pakistan..cant do anythin but stick in a hotel..but atleast thr safe...maybe they jss didnt wana bother..

[TaZ]

Good to see england handing the saffers a one day pasting right now

[OZGOD]

Originally Posted by OZGOD I think it may have something to do with the fact that :mush has resigned due to threat of impeachment and that they feel that the two parties in the ruling coalition are really only held together by a common hatred of :mush ? i.e. now that :mush is gone the coalition might dissolve? Just speculating here.

This is what I was talking about. I think SA's decision is less due to the bombings and more to the fact that Mushy resigned due to his being impeached by Nawaz Sharif.

Pakistan coalition rift widens as violence rages 1 day ago ISLAMABAD (AFP) — Pakistan's ruling coalition was riven by divisions despite crunch talks on Friday, raising fears for the government's ability to tackle Taliban bloodshed after a massive bombing killed 64 people. Former premier Nawaz Sharif pushed back his deadline for the coalition to restore judges sacked by former president Pervez Musharraf, prolonging the squabbles that have prevented it from focusing on the rising militant threat. Thursday's bombing at a huge arms factory was the second suicide attack since Musharraf stood down on Monday, intensifying the pressure on his opponents to show they can govern the world's only Islamic nuclear power. Troops killed 21 militants, including two more suicide bombers, in clashes near the Afghan border in defiance of threats by the Taliban to launch more attacks if military operations against the rebels are not halted. The two main parties -- linked to Sharif and the assassinated ex-prime minister Benazir Bhutto -- failed to find common ground during talks on Friday on how to replace Musharraf and how to reinstate dozens of judges he sacked. Sharif said a resolution to bring back the judges would be introduced in parliament on Monday and that there would then be two days of debates. "Wednesday should be the day for reinstatement of judges," Sharif told a joint news conference with the leaders of two smaller parties in the coalition who were mediating the dispute. But there was no immediate comment from Asif Ali Zardari, Bhutto's widower and the leader of her party. A resolution would need his support but he has shown no sign of keeping the pledge he made in May to restore the judges. Critics have suggested that Zardari is against the return of crusading chief justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry because he could overturn an amnesty on corruption charges that allowed Bhutto and Zardari to return from exile. Pakistan's election commission announced Friday that the presidential poll would be held on September 6, seen as an important step towards creating the political stability needed to take on the militants. Lawmakers from Zardari's party nominated him late Friday to stand for the post during a meeting of the grouping's central executive committee. "Zardari thanked Pakistan People's Party of which he is the co-chairman and said he will announce his decision within the next 24 hours," information minister Sherry Rehman told reporters in Islamabad. The coalition's feuding has worried Western nations looking for continuity after Musharraf's departure, and distracted the government's attention from the increasingly brazen militant insurgency. "Similar attacks will be carried out in other cities of Pakistan," said Maulvi Omar, a spokesman for Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, the umbrella group of the country's Taliban Islamist militants. He said Thursday's daring attack outside Pakistan's main defence industry factory, on the road from Islamabad to the northwestern border, was in response to military operations against the militants. Police said Friday they had arrested a suspect who was to have been the third bomber in Thursday's attack. Police also recovered a suicide jacket that the suspect had left in the toilet of a mosque close to the factory. In the latest violence, troops opened fire on a vehicle that refused to stop at a checkpoint in the northwestern town of Hangu, causing the vehicle to explode and killing 16 militants, an army statement said. Two were suicide bombers, probably foreign militants, it said. Another five militants were killed in the tribal region of Bajaur, bordering Afghanistan, where the government says that more than 500 people have been killed and 130,000 displaced in two weeks of fighting with militants. While there have been frequent allegations that at least parts of the nation's powerful intelligence service has helped support the militants, the military has also been waging a tough campaign against them. But the military campaign requires a level of political support that has been lacking because of the bickering between the parties. The possibility of a coalition split has worried the United States and other countries who want a stable Pakistan. http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5...R6JgkAQ4glutyw

[ascher]

the news coming out of pakistani news channels though is that the ct would be postponed this year and would take place in dubai next year, with Pakistan as its "so-called" host!! {can't understand how can one be called the hosts of the tournament, with the tournament actually happening in another country??, i think what they mean by it is that whatever tickets the arabs/pak-indi truck drivers buy for the tournament, the money of it would go to pcb, hilarious as well as deadly for pak cricket (if they once again fall for this trap, isn't it? )**

express news is breaking this as their lead story and they say that while the decision has already been taken , the formalities related to it would be fulfilled in sunday's "phone-sex " among the icc members!

[Somali Pirate]

If pakistan and the PCB have any self respect they should tell the icc to **** off and boycott the whole tournament. Seriously how can these morons expect Pak cricket to flourish when they are denied international cricket. I really feel scared for pakistan cricket. It may have the same fate as WI

[dblock]

Postponement might be the best option now.

I just get the feeling in the long run, if the tournament is switched to Sri Lanka, then Pakistan will be permanently marked down as a no go place to visit and for the world cup coming may even be ostracized from that too.

[Big Harvey]

A spineless decision by the South African board. I feel it's now inevitable that Aus and New Zealand will follow suit, as well as (for political reasons related to their alliances within the ICC) England, and possibly even WI.

Personally I hope the tournament is cancelled rather than moved, and that this will finish the Champions Trophy off for good. I just wish it didn't have to be like this. Pakistan deserves to be able to host and watch sport, and having witnessed the security surrounding the England team in 2005, and experienced the hospitality of ordinary people there towards England fans (who neither had nor needed such over the top security), there's absolutely no reason why Pakistan shouldn't host such events.

A deeply depressing day, because if the tiny minority of jihadists and assorted crazies responsible for suicide bombings can cause international events to be cancelled or moved, then that says to me that they are winning, or at least succeeding in their aims. By pulling out of this competition, the Western countries will be doing exactly what the terrorists want, and helping to reinforce religious, ethnic, and cultural divisions.

Let's hope the South African players don't get carjacked, or robbed at gun or knifepoint while they're at home. After all, the chances of such things happening have to be much greater than those of being the victim of a terrorist attack in Pakistan.

[12thMan]

Thank you Big Harvey especially regarding your trip to Pakistan.

They should just cancel it but ICC will look at the money loss as they have deals with ESPN.

[traps]

Guys I've done a short one to register my displeasure.

As things unfold I can expand on it :

http://www.sportsleader.co.za/traps/...das-and-pahad/